Cherry Blossom Spots

Osaka is one of Japan's best cities for cherry blossom viewing (hanami). Below is a list of the city's most popular hanami spots, including the typical timing for best viewing in the average year and japan-guide.com ratings. See also our nationwide list of famous cherry blossom spots.

Nearly 5000 cherry trees line Okawa River for several kilometers. The seemingly endless rows of cherry trees can be viewed from a pleasant riverside promenade or from ships cruising the river. There are also lawn areas with a lot of space for picnics.

Over 4000 cherry trees are planted on the spacious grounds of Osaka Castle. A particularly nice place for a picnic is Nishinomaru Park in the castle's western citadel with wide lawns, views of the castle tower and light up in the evening.

The former site of the 1970 World Exhibition in Osaka was turned into a large public park with over 5000 cherry trees along its paths and around its large lawn areas. There is light up in the evenings.

10 minute walk from Temmabashi Station, free admission
Special opening 2015: 4/9 to 4/15, 10:00 to 21:00 (from 9:00 on the weekend)Mint Museum: 9:00 to 16:45 (entry until 16:00); closed on weekends, public holidays, special cherry blossom opening period, day before special opening period

More than 300 trees of over 100 varieties, mostly later blooming yae-zakura trees can be viewed on the premises of the Osaka Mint Bureau. The gates of the garden are opened to the general public for one week in mid April. The garden can also be viewed on the occasion of a visit to the Mint Museum outside of the special opening period.

Tsurumi Ryokuchi ParkEarly April

Tsurumi Ryokuchi Subway Station, free admission

This large public park served as the site of a flower exhibition in 1990. Hundreds of cherry trees are planted across the park, offering visitors lots of attractive picnic spots. There are also about 50 small, representative gardens from countries across the world.